Champion Sydney mare ‘More Joyous’ has won today’s Group 2 Canterbury Stakes worth $175,000.

Five time Group 1 winner More Joyous settled mid field during the race and was peeled to the middle of the track by Nash Rawiller in which she held off Monton who looked like he might have her measure. In third positing was Metal Bender who finished off very well along the inside.

More Joyous was disappointing last start in the Myer Classic last year and was sent for a 18 week spell but her efforts today show that she is back to her best after beaten a Group 1 quality field where she wasnt 100% fit.

More Joyous opened as the $3.20 favourite on Wednesday but punters heavily backed her which saw her odds tumble into $2.50 upon jumping.

The daughter of More Than Ready is currently on the fifth line of betting for the 2012 Doncaster Mile.

Results:

1st: More Joyous

2nd: Monton

3rd: Metal Bender

4th: Sincero